How to Pray
the Holy Rosary.

PROMISES OF THE HOLY ROSARY GIVEN BY THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT DOMINIC AND BLESSED ALAN DE LA ROCHE:
THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO PRAY THE ROSARY SHALL HAVE DURING THEIR LIFE AND AT THEIR DEATH THE LIGHT OF GOD AND ALL HIS GRACES; AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH THEY SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE MERITS OF THE SAINTS IN PARADISE.

1. While holding the crucifix or cross do the SIGN OF THE CROSS.

Recite the APOSTLES CREED.

2. Recite the OUR FATHER prayer on the first bead.

3. Recite a HAIL MARY on each of the three small beads.

4. Recite the GLORY BE TO THE FATHER on the next large bead.

Recite the FATIMA PRAYER "O my Jesus" on the large bead.

ANNOUNCE the first Rosary Mystery and recite OUR FATHER prayer on the large bead.

5. On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also referred to as a decade) recite a HAIL MARY while meditating upon the Holy Rosary Mystery.

6. On the next large bead, recite the GLORY BE TO THE FATHER and the FATIMA PRAYER.

7. Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by ANNOUNCING the appropriate mystery, reciting the OUR FATHER prayer, ten HAIL MARYs, the GLORY BE TO THE FATHER, and the FATIMA PRAYER while meditating upon the mystery.

8. When the fifth mystery is completed, the Holy Rosary is concluded with the HAIL HOLY QUEEN and O GOD,WHOSE and while holding the crucifix or cross do the SIGN OF THE CROSS.

SIGN OF THE CROSS: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (As you say this, with your right hand touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.)

APOSTLES CREED: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

OUR FATHER prayer: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

FATIMA PRAYER: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

HAIL HOLY QUEEN, mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

O GOD, WHOSE only-begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANNOUNCE each mystery by saying something like, "The third Joyful Mystery is the Birth of Our Lord."

MEDITATE ON THESE HOLY ROSARY MYSTERIES, OR EVENTS FROM THE LIVES OF JESUS AND MARY:

ON MONDAY AND SATURDAY, MEDITATE ON THE "JOYFUL MYSTERIES"
First Decade: The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Second Decade: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
Third Decade: The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2: 1-21)
Fourth Decade: The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
Fifth Decade: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

ON THURSDAY, MEDITATE ON THE "LUMINOUS MYSTERIES"
First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
Second Decade: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (John 2:1-11)
Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Luke 9:28-36)
Fifth Decade: The Last Supper, when Our Lord gave us the Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26:17-35)

ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, MEDITATE ON THE "SORROWFUL MYSTERIES"
First Decade: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)

ON WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY, MEDITATE ON THE "GLORIOUS MYSTERIES"
First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (Song of Songs 2:3-6)
Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Luke 1:51-54)

^)COME TO CHRISTIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ON SUNDAY.
*)BE BAPTIZED=SO CAN ENTER KINGDOM OF GOD
+)EUCHARIST=BECOME GOD'S FAMILY